Chapter 2 Two Years Later

.... Annabella....

August 1st of 2020

Boston, Massachusetts

"I can't believe that this pandemic cancelled my flight back to Italy. I wanted to study art out there." I sat on my porch of my family's house with Sophie. She sighed as she looked at her engagement ring that Mikey got her, "I know. I miss, Italy and Mikey is going crazy." I shook my head as I rocked on my chair, "Isn't Mikey, picking you up?" She nodded as she lifted up and poured herself some lemonade, "You know that Leo came back with him before the whole lock down."

I shook my head as she hands me a glass, "Okay? What does that have to do with me?" She rolled her eyes, "He still likes you." I snorted, "I was like sixteen when I met him. I doubt he remembers me." She teased me, "But you remember him." I groaned as my father came out of the house, "Anna, have you registered for your classes."

I rolled my eyes, "Yes, dad. I did that months ago." I had to registered for my class as soon as I was able to do it. My father has been at me about going into politics, I don't want to go into politics. I made sure to get into some art classes. Why can't he just let me do what I wanted to do.

He was just elected as Mayor of Boston after Mayor Marty Walsh was offered to go to D.C. as labor chief. Now, that he is the Mayor, he wants me to follow in his footsteps. I wanted nothing to do with it but to make him happy his perfect little girl is taking classes that he wanted me to take.

"Anna, I know that you wanted to go to Art school, but that is a struggling career. You need stabilization." He stated as a matter of fact. No, this is more about him and not having a son to take into his footsteps.

I was mom and dad's miracle baby. Mom was told that she could never get pregnant then I came along and proved everyone wrong. They tried again and again for a son but failed. Miscarriage after miscarriage. My mother got depressed then... Let's just say she is no longer with us.

That day still haunts me.

I looked up as a car pulled up when Mikey jumped out as he ran to Sophie. He picked her up into his arms as he laid his lips on hers.

Now, why can't I have something like that. No, Daddy wants me to marry Richard Harston who is a businessman. He was dry as they could come. He wasn't even my type. Good friend but not my guy that I want to marry.

My eyes widened as I saw a man walked towards the porch. He was at least six feet tall, dark hair with dark brown eyes. He was built like a monster and looked dangerous as hell. I looked up at my father as he groaned, "What the hell is he doing here?" I tilted my head as the man walked up and smirked at me with a million-dollar smile. His suit screamed that he was doing well for himself, "Bella, is that you? My god have you grown." My eyes widened, my god it is him.

Leo De Cecco.

He changed. More built, stubble of hair laid across his chin, but his eyes was the same. I will never forget them. I have only been dreaming about them since I visit Italy.

"Leo?" I got up and wrapped my arms around him. My father snarled, "How do you know this man, Anna?" I looked at Sophie then back at my father as Leo's hand was on my back from me letting him go, "I met him in Italy." He shook his head, "I should have never let you go that trip. You got all these crazy ideas about art school, studying there and know my daughter knows a gangster."

He looked at Sophie as he turned to go inside, I felt so little at this moment in front of Leo. What did he mean by gangster?

My father snarled at her, "I told once Sophie, I don't want these thugs on my property. I the Mayor." She rolled her eyes at him, "Uncle Richard, they not thugs." He pointed to the three of them, "Get off my property and stay away from my daughter."

I bowed my head as I hate when he does this. Sophie placed her hand on my arm when she whispered, "I call you, later." I nodded as I snorted, "If I am still alive." She shook her head. They started to walk away when Leo turned as he cleared his throat, "Sir, just to let you know. I would never let harm come to your daughter. Her art is beautiful. You should be proud of her for wanting to follow her dreams."

My father stormed towards the stair, "Get off my property. Stay the fuck away from my daughter." I gasped at his as I ran into the house. I have never heard my father swear or talk to anyone like that in my life. I watched them leave from my window when Leo looked up at me when he gave me a small smirk before getting into his car then driving away.

I sat on the windowsill as I teared up. He did remember me. Maybe Sophie was right, he still liked me. His face lit up when he saw me. But my father wants me to marry Richard. YUCK.

There was a knock on the door as I stared out to the driveway, hoping that they would come back. Save me from my own hell. I have been hiding myself from my father. He would never want me to be who I am. Who I am truly. "Go away." I growled when the door opened.

I rolled my eyes as Richard walked into my room, "Hey there." I shook my head as I stared out and not giving him any of my mind, "Hey." He chuckled as he sat next to me, "So, your dad told me that you are upset with him." I shook my head, "Rich, I don't get it. He wants to control every inch of my life. I can't make any decision for myself." He nodded as he gave me a small smirk, "Like going with Leo and going to art school."

I looked at him for a moment then turned back to the window, "What do you know about Leo?" He placed his hand through his hair, "Anna, I have a secret that you should know." I snorted, "What is that?" He placed his hand on my knee, "I will never marry you." My eyes widened, "But our parents."

He chuckled, "They can try but I am still going to like guys and not girls." My eyes widened, for some reason this doesn't surprise me. Why after all these years of knowing him, he is tell me this now? "You are gay?" I asked. He nodded, "See why I can't marry you." I chuckled as I took a sigh of relief, "I do. But dad would never let me see Leo and Leo probably doesn't like me like that."

He chuckled as he shook his head, "Just to let you know, I was in the house the whole time. Your father was going to have you come in when they pulled up." I tilted my head, "Why was you here?" He sighed as he lifted up, "Your father called me over plus, I wanted to tell you that I wasn't going to have our parents do this to us. I been trying to get you to hate me so I didn't have give up my boyfriend."

BOYFRIEND.

I tilted my head, "Boyfriend." Rich smirked as he nodded, "When you went to Italy, I met him and my god, Anna it was love at first sight." I couldn't believe my ear and now he telling me. I got up from the window, "What do we do now?"

He smirked at me, "Do you want to go on a 'fake date' call your cousin then meet up with them?" My eyes widened, "You do that for me." He chuckled, "Of course I would. I saw the way you two looked at each other from the window."